Empowering Elim’s Adults through Employment – Rick’s Story
September 15, 2025
Rick is no stranger to a hard day’s work. Since 2009, he has attended Elim’s Adult Services program with a strong desire to secure employment and be an active member of the community. Before joining Elim, he worked at a bank for 18 years, so the need to continue being active in a workplace environment was important to Rick and his job coach, RoseAnn.
Over the past 16 years, he has held a diverse range of jobs. From being a line worker to a dishwasher at a restaurant, he does not shy away from taking on any task. He even worked as a receptionist at Elim for over 10 years!
“Working in the community gives our adults purpose and an opportunity to earn a real paycheck,” says RoseAnn. “But more importantly, they establish relationships with their coworkers and supervisors that benefit the employer and our adults.”
On his days off, Rick enjoys attending a drama class at Elim’s Orland workshop, where he works on creating short films, as well as his computer class, where he researches various topics that interest him. He loves discovering new things, and recently, learning about the Civil War has fascinated him!
Currently, Rick is employed at an intermediate care facility, where he works on laundering bed sheets, towels, and bed pads, as well as cleaning the pods where residents live.
“I like working there because I’ve gotten to know the residents and staff,” Rick tells us. “I am very comfortable there.”
Elim’s job placement program provides adults with disabilities not only an income, but also dignity, community, and growth.
“All of our adults are dependable,” RoseAnn shares. “They show up every day and are ready to work.” Rick is just one example of how meaningful employment transforms lives. Elim is always looking for more opportunities to employ our adults in the community.
If you know of a local business that is looking to hire adults with disabilities, please get in touch with sep@elimcs.org.
Because of your generosity, our adults receive the tools and resources that they need to thrive. Can you give today and equip over 400 students and adults at Elim to pursue their God-given potential?
Non-discrimination Policy:
It is the Standard of Elim Christian Services to admit children and adults to agency services regardless of race, color, national and ethnic origin, to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to agency service recipients. Elim Christian Services does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered policies. Read Full Disclosure.